Display backlights with adjustable narrow viewing angle
US9348160B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/62
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Display components (e.g., liquid crystal displays (LCDs)) are viewable at different viewing angles, for example, by a first user positioned directly in front of the display and by a second user positioned to one side of the display. Many displays present a consistent display across a wide range of viewing angles, but these displays may consume energy and/or compromise user privacy. Presented herein are configurations of backlights for display devices featuring an adjustable viewing angle, such that a user may select a narrower viewing angle in usage scenarios involving power consumption or privacy, and may select a wider viewing angle in usage scenarios involving plentiful power and fewer privacy concerns. Such configurations may include multiple banks of backlight lamps generating backlight at different viewing angles; an electrowetting electrode as an adjustable collimator; adjustable diffusers that may adjustably scatter light passing therethrough; and/or a combination of such adjustable elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.